• 03.08.2008

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Three people die in motor accident

Twifo Ankakor (C/R), Aug. 3, GNA - Three persons died on the spot when a Madza Truck collided with a Kia Truck at Twifo Ankakor, near Twifo Praso on Friday.

According to Police Sergeant Kwaku Agbatey of the Motor Transport and Traffic Unit the names of dead were not immediately known and they were sent to Cape Coast Government Hospital in the Central Region. The Police said the Madza Truck was climbing a hill when it suddenly reversed and collided with the Kia Truck coming from Twifo Praso. The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the hospital for autopsy.

Source:

GNA

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National Security Operational Plan Document Exposes Kufuor

DEFENCE INTELLIGENCE CHIEF REPLACED

Maj.Gen. Odotei's Removal Shelved

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Accident victims don't need service of lawyers-Ocran

Aflao, Aug 3, GNA- Mrs Emma Ocran, Legal Director, National Insurance Commission (NIC), said the services of lawyers in the pursuance of insurance compensation arising from motor accidents was a matter of choice rather than a necessity. She explained that with the necessary insurance cover in place, all that accident victims needed was a police report, a report by a medical officer on extent of injury and two passport size pictures endorsed by a medical officer to authenticate the claimant's identity and a letter for claims.

Mrs Ocran said these at a durbar to educate the public on the insurance system and functions of the Commission, at Aflao in the Volta Region. Participants mainly vehicle owners, drivers and members of the public, were sensitised on complaints and compensation procedures, functions of the NIC, motor and life insurance.

Mrs Ocran said in case of death through motor accident, the bereaved family needed a police report, death certificate, letters of administration and an affidavit to be able to make a claim for compensation. She indicated that to be able to make claims regarding damage to vehicle or any other property as a result of an accident, the claimant required a police report, estimate of cost of repairs and pictures of damaged property, Mrs Ocran said.

Mrs Ocran said applications for claims must be completed within three years in the case of death and six years for property damaged after which the Insurance Companies would not accept liability. She said to be able to beat deadlines, claimants could report the accidents directly to the Insurance Companies if the police and medical reports were being delayed.

Mrs Ocran urged the people to report to the NIC any insurance company, which would refuse to pay compensation, delayed in paying compensation or pay unsatisfactory compensation to claimants. She said the NIC with 30 registered insurance companies operating under it, had strong complaints and resettlement panels made up of lawyers to go into any complaints.

Mrs Ocran explained that insurance claims might be repudiated when the driver was not licensed, used improper license, had no insurance cover, where the vehicle was improperly documented and in the event of a hit and run driver remaining unidentified She said the NIC had a Compensation Fund, from which compensation for injuries or death under those circumstances could be paid on the presentation of the necessary police and doctor's report, explaining that insurance firms would not pay claims under those conditions. Mrs Ocran said no compensation was available for property damages under the NIC mitigation fund and that it (Fund) was not meant to take away the obligation of vehicle owners to insure their vehicles.

Mr Isaac Buabeng, Head of Marketing and Research of the NIC, urged vehicle owners to enter into Comprehensive Insurance, which catered for all accident cases, unlike the Third Party Insurance, which catered for only passengers and other persons injured. Mr Oliver Bio, a Legal Officer at the NIC, asked Ghanaians to report to the Complaints and Settlement Bureau of the NIC offending insurance companies.

Mr Francis Tamakloe, Insurance Officer with the State Insurance Company (SIC), asked drivers and divers' mates to take personal insurance policies since vehicle insurance was mainly in the interest of passengers who were entitled to far more compensation than the driver and the mate in case of accidents. Participants sought explanations on and complained about issues such as delayed attitude of the police in providing accidents report and extortion of monies by police investigators from accident victims and their relatives. The NIC is the supervising authority of all Insurance Companies in the country.

Source:

GNA

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Declare Tuberculosis an emergency disease in Ghana

Accra, Aug. 3, GNA - The government has been urged to declare Tuberculosis as an emergency to enhance more political commitment and increase influx of donor funding to make the country achieve the Millennium Development Goals and World Health Organisation's targets. "Member States of the African Union committed themselves in 2005 to the achievement of universal access to treatment and care of TB while up till now the 2001 Abuja pledge by Heads of States to allocate at least 15 per cent of their countries annual budget to the improvement of the health sector has not been met".

Mr. Imoro Abudu, Programme Manager of Afro Global Alliance said this at a TB Voice Network Advocacy and Sensitization workshop for Assembly Members and community leaders in Accra. He noted that, TB is a major public health problem in Ghana but unfortunately little attention had been given to the disease because it is a disease of the poor and generally affected society's most vulnerable, those who live under abject poverty, the marginalised or economically and socially isolated. Mr Abudu said, in recognition of the gravity of the TB situation in the country and the sub-region, the workshop has been organized by TB Voice Network to sensitize the community leaders on the challenges faced in the implementation of its TB control programmes in the various communities.

The Programme Manager said the TB Voice Network was a composite of cured TB patients and public spirited volunteers in various communities to offer living testimonies on TB, improve case detection and also act as treatment supporters for persons diagnosed of the disease. The agenda of the workshop was to tackle the high level of defaulters' cases even after counselling, standardization in architectural plans to include better ventilation, a supranational laboratory for Ghana or the sub continent.

Mr Abudu said the health sector, realising that it cannot solely undertake all the numerous activities had over the years involved the private sector and civil society, among others, to fill the gaps to achieve both national, regional and global targets for TB control. The La Mantse, Nii Tetteh Tsuru, who chaired the programme said that issues concerning the TB disease should be the concern of all so that a concerted effort and programmes are developed to eradicate it in the country. He said all were risk of the disease but there is the need for the victims to be supported in their treatment and not shunned but to encourage them to seek early treatment.

Mr Samuel Kudzuwo, a laboratory technician at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital who explained the duties of the TB Voice Network said TB is a major cause of death if not treated and it is for that reason that the Afro Global Alliance, national Tuberculosis Programme and the chest Clinic have teamed up for a collaborative and initiative to help stem or check the spread of the disease. He said there is the need for preventive care and treatment and for the re-enforcement of community support to implement sustainable TB control programmes by helping to identify and locating new cases and to assist to administer treatment.

Mr Kudzuwo said the Network and their collaborators are enforcing situational analysis reports, counselling and tracing of TB patients and undertaking the supply of advocacy materials to spread the message across the country. "Help to de-stigmatise TB in the communities since it is an air-borne disease and all symptoms such as cough, fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, weight loss, tiredness and fatigue should be reported to a health personnel for the needed advice".

Source:

GNA

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MP in fatal crash

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New bus being presented to SHS crashed at ceremony

Koforidua, Aug.2, GNA- One of the 26 buses presented to public senior high schools in the Eastern Region on Friday crashed when it was being tested at the forecourt of the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC)on Friday at Koforidua.

The bus, with registration number GV996 had just been handed over to a representative of the New Juaben Municipal Chief Executive, Nana Adjei Boateng to be given to the Pope John Senior High School later. The windscreen and one of the headlights got damaged in the process whiles the ceiling of the RCC garage where the bus crashed into was also broken.

In all 26 Public Senior High Schools in the region were provided with a bus each in line with the President's vision to equip all senior high schools with buses to facilitate their movements as well as to improve the standard of learning.

The Acting Regional Director of Education, Mrs Akosua Takyiwa Adu recalled that not too long ago, a similar ceremony took place where Technical and Vocational institutions and all the six teacher training colleges in the region were presented with buses. Mrs. Adu, who was full of praise to the government said there was no doubt that the gesture would improve education and an indication of the government's resolve to equip educational facilities with the needed logistics. The Deputy Regional Minster, Mr Ofosu Asamoah who handed over the buses explained that, in recognition of the role of the municipal and district assemblies in education, the buses had been programmed to be presented to the school within their assemblies for proper supervision. He therefore urged the chief executives to exercise strict responsibility over the buses so that it could serve the purposes for which they were provided.

Mr Asamoah indicated that, although every school in a district benefited from the gesture, there were still some left out which constituted the most deprived schools and gave the assurance that soon, they would receive one of the buses.

Mr. Frank Bosumtwi, the Birim Central Municipal Chief Executive on behalf of the all the assemblies thanked the government for the gesture and the confidence reposed in them.

He said they would see to it that the buses were used strictly for academic work and maintained to stand the test of time.

Source:
GNA

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Stop attacking the police, DCOP cautions civilians

Old Ningo, Aug. 02, GNA - The Director-General in-charge of Police Operation at the Police Headquarters, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Patrick Timbillah has cautioned civilians to desist from attacking police personnel in the discharge of their duties. DCOP Timbillah said pulling of offensive objects on the police during the discharge of their professional duties endangers the life of personnel noting that Ghana has lost a number of security officers through such incidents.

The DCOP issued the warning during an interaction with the press on Saturday at Old Ningo in the Dangme West District during the funeral rites of the late Chief Superintendent Theophilus Tetteh Nartey, 45, the Ho Municipal Police Commander who was shot at the residence of the Volta Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Dzamesi on June 02.

He died two days later from the gun shot wounds and his mortal remains were led to rest at the Old Ningo cemetery.

The deceased sustained gunshot wounds in his abdomen during a struggle with one Dzikunu Dan Agbale who was alleged to have attacked relatives of the Regional Minister with knife and hammer after policemen on guard the residence tried to prevent him from entering the house. While the assailant died on the same day from gunshots by the police demobilizing him, Chief Supt. Nartey died at the 37 Military Hospital on June 04 after he was transferred there from the Volta Regional Hospital on June 03.

He left behind a wife and four children, comprising of three girls and one boy.

DCOP Timbillah however, expressed the police preparedness to continue providing adequate protection to public and called for their support for success.

DCOP John Kudalor, Tema Regional Police Commander reading the police tribute said Chief Nartey entered the Police Service in 1988 as a Constable, rose through the ranks and became the Ho Municipal Commander six months before his death, he was promoted to Chief Superintendent on July 30 after his death.

The Chaplain of the Police Church, Accra, Rev. Supt Twum Baah, who conducted the burial service challenged the security personnel and civilians to commit their lives to impacting positively on the lives of other people.

He said "the value of ones life is not the number of years an individual spent on earth, but the impact he made on others," adding that police personnel must discharge their duties professionally even when they were being ridiculed by society.

In attendance were the Inspector General of Police, Patrick K. Acheampong, Volta Regional Police Commander, DCOP Bernard Dery, top Police Officials, over 500 police personnel, MP for Ningo-Prampram Constituency and District Chief Executives of Ho and Dangme West. The Volta Regional Minster however could to attend funeral.

Source:
GNA

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• 01.08.2008

Three die in Zebilla Accident

Bolgatanga, August 1, GNA - Three persons including a three-month old baby girl died on the spot at the outskirts of Zebilla, the Bawku West District capital, when two commercial vehicles collided.

Eighteen out of the 37 victims were conveyed to the Zebilla District Hospital and are responding to treatment. Another set of 19 were taken to the Regional Hospital at Bolgatanga where a number of them are in critical conditions.

According to the Administrator of the hospital, Mr. George Tampugre, health personnel are working to stabilize the patients and would airlift those in critical conditions to specialist hospitals.

The Blood Bank of the Bolgatanga Hospital has no capacity to cater for the required quantity of blood needed by some of the victims and so officials of the hospital are requesting families and friends of the victims to donate blood

The Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police Ofosu Mensah Gyeabour, who accompanied the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Alhassan Samari to visit the victims, told the press that the accident occurred at about 2100 hours on Thursday when a Mercedes Benz bus collided with a Toyota Urvan bus.

Madam Christiana Timbil, a Senior Staff Nurse at Bolgatanga Hospital, said some of the patients needed four pines of blood to undergo surgery but the hospital blood bank could not cater for all the needs of the patients and urged family members to rally around for blood donors.

Source:
GNA

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Need to develop Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary

the   Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary

and the ancient Bono-Manso Slave Trade Centre in Brong-Ahafo Region into first class tourism attraction sites to generate substantial income.

She made the appeal when addressing a durbar of chiefs and people of Bono-Manso to mark this year's Emancipation Day at Martin Luther King Junior Village at Bono-Manso. Madam Obeng-Donkor pointed out that Government recognised tourism as a sector with immense potentials to create jobs and generate revenue therefore, there was the need to develop these two important tourist sites which had gained international recognition.

 "Nkoranza North District recently created has many teething problems with regard to revenue generation and development of the sites would enhance its fortunes,"

Madam Obeng-Donkor said. She noted that even though celebration of Emancipation Day brought memory of bitter experiences, it was prudent for all Ghanaians to forge ahead in unity for socio-economic development.

Mr Adu Acheampong, Chairman of Publicity Committee of Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan Relations expressed concern about some parents who subjected their children to human rights abuses and denied them basic education.

He said sex abuse among the youth and child trafficking leading to mental slavery should not be tolerated.

Mr Rabbi Kohain Halevi, Executive Secretary of PANAFEST called on Africans to be emancipated from issues that made them feel inferior to other people and stressed the need for the youth to offer selfless and dedicated services towards accelerated national development.

Source:
GNA

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Ho Polytechnic holds fashion show


Ho, Aug. 01, GNA - Mr. Mawutor Wovenu of the Fashion Department of Ho Polytechnic has called on government to support graduates in fashion and design to establish their businesses. This way "the government would be promoting domestic entrepreneurship and cut down on importation of foreign clothing" he said.

Mr Wovenu made the call at this year's fashion show by the Department dubbed, "Dynamic Outlook". It was in partial fulfilment for the award of the Higher National Diploma Certificate in Fashion Design and Modelling. Mr Wovenu said fashion is a high potential growth sector, which could create jobs and income for potential practitioners when supported.

He appealed to young people to develop interest in studying Fashion to develop their "personality". Mrs Selorm Gbetodeme, Dean of Art and Design of the Department, said there is hope for fashion in Ghana. Sixteen final year students showcased designs.

Source:
GNA

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MOWAC condemns ethical disregard on child abuse reporting

Accra, Aug. 1, GNA - The Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs on Friday condemned the media for disregard in protecting the rights of children in child abuse stories. A statement signed by Mr. Daniel Dugan, sector Deputy Minister, said: "Our attention has been drawn to rampant abuse of the rights of some children by media practitioners who lift the protective cover of child victims."

It said such abuses included the telecast of children suspected of witchcraft, reproducing clear or blurred pictures of child victims and stating the real names of victims.

The statement reminded the media that the practice violated Article 3 of the Juvenile Justice Act, which states that "a juvenile has the right to privacy during arrest, investigation or trial of the offence and at any other stage of the cause of the matter". "The Children's Act, 1998 (Act 5600 Article 39 (1) also clearly states that no person shall publish any information that may lead to the identification of the child in any manner before a Family Tribunal, except with the permission of the Family Tribunal." The statement said it was also contrary to Article 8 (1) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) which mandated the respect of the right of the child to preserve his or her identity, including nationality, name and family relations as recognized by law, without unlawful interference.

The practice also violated the UNICEF Principles for Ethical Reporting on Children and Article 15 of the Ghana Journalist Association Code of Ethics.

The statement entreated the media to be also mindful of Article 28 (1c) of the 1992 Constitution and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child to always consider the best interest of children as paramount.

Source:
GNA

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Kato community planted 1000 species of tropical seedlings

Kato (B/A), Aug 1, GNA- The Brong Ahafo Regional office of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the chiefs and people of Kato in Berekum Municipality on Friday planted 1000 species of tropical seedlings to help conserve and protect the Mfensi Sacred Grove.

This formed part of activities marking the regional celebration of World Environment Day, that was under the theme, "Plant a Tree, Reduce Global Warming", coined from the global slogan, "Kick The Habit!-Towards A Low Carbon Dioxide Economy".

Pupils and students of Kato Community Roman Catholic Junior High School also assisted in the planting of the mahogany, okure, framo, akyee and prono seedling.

The activity was mainly focused on the planting of tree seedlings in degraded portions of the grove to secure the grove's boundaries to prevent further encroachment and also to make it less prone to wildfires.

Mr. Isaac Osei, Acting Regional Director of the Agency, said the celebration was to "highlight resources and initiatives that promote low carbon economies and lifestyles such as improved energy efficiency, alternative energy resources, forest conservation and eco-friendly consumption".

He noted that climate change evolving from global warming had been the result of greenhouse gases emission that tended to trap the sun's heat that would have radiated back into the atmosphere.

Mr Osei said the excess of carbon dioxide gas emissions was creating problems as they brought about diseases, negative effects on agriculture and water bodies, rise in the sea level and the occurrence of natural disasters such as hurricanes, among others. He commended efforts made by the traditional authorities at Kato to conserve the grove, which he said contributed significantly to the reduction of global warming.

Other benefits to be derived from the sacred grove, Mr Osei said were revenue generation through tourism, enhancement of biodiversity, source of potent medicinal plants, the establishment of a research centre and a unique micro climate for the Kato community.

He proposed the formation of a sacred grove management committee that could comprise chiefs, opinion leaders, unit committee members, assembly members, officials of the EPA and the Municipal Assembly to ensure the growth of the planted tree seedlings, prevention of bushfires and the introduction of rare species into the grove.

The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, called on the people to conserve the grove for posterity. Nana Kwaku Nyameamer, Akwamuhene, appealed to government to continue to provide support for the sustenance of the grove and the area's environment.

Source:
GNA

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• 31.07.2008

Government sued over GT sale



Accra, July 31, GNA - A group of individuals have instituted civil action against government on its intended sale of Ghana Telecom to Vodafone international.

Mr. Bright Akwetey, solicitor for the plaintiffs, mainly known members of the Convention People's Party (CPP), said the causes of action for the case include recklessly causing financial loss to the state; unlawful disposal of public property; entering into a contract of sale detrimental to the public interest; undervaluing public property for sale to a foreign company; and entering into a public agreement without due process.

He is instituting the action on behalf of Mr Michael Kosi Dedey, Naa Kordai Assimeh, Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, Ms Rhodaline Imoru Ayama, Professor Agyeman Badu Akosah and Mr. Kwame Jantuah.

The relief being sought by the action include revocation of the agreement for the sale of Ghana Telecom to Vodafone international; order for dissolving the enlarged Ghana Telecom Company created for purposes of the sale of Ghana Telecom; restoration of the fibre optic network to Volta River Authority; and order for a true and faithful revaluation of assets of Ghana Telecom.

Government on July 3 announced an agreement with Vodafone, the world's leading mobile telecommunication group, in a partnership deal for 70 per cent of its shares in Ghana Telecom. The Government will retain a 30 per cent stake in Ghana Telecom.

A government statement said an understanding had also been reached with Vodafone to float GT shares on the Ghana Stock market as soon as possible.

"In consideration of this agreement, Ghana Telecom's enterprise value is approximately US$1.3 billion plus a cash injection of US$500 million, totalling US$1.8 billion," the statement said.

It said many benefits would accrue to Ghanaians, including delivery of a superior product and services in every corner of the country, raising GT's mobile market share to provide competitive per minute call charges, efficient service to ensure uninterrupted service to the consumer and injection of substantial investment into the economy. The statement said Vodafone would leverage its experience in over 25 countries and partner networks in an additional 42 countries with over 260 million customers worldwide to provide the best service in telecommunication to Ghanaians.

The transaction is, however, subject to approval by Parliament which rose without debating the agreement that has been criticised by several politicians and civil society groups.

The Committee for Joint Action (CJA) has expressed its opposition to government's intention to sell 70 percent of Ghana Telecom (GT) to Vodafone International Holdings B.V. for US$900 million without regard to national economic, political and strategic interest.

The group said the transaction was being carried out in such haste as to deny Ghanaians the opportunity to discuss its full significance. Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a member of CJA, said the sale of GT had been justified by false claim by government that Ghanaians did not have the expertise to manage the company.

Mr Ablakwa said the government had not told Ghanaians the whole truth about transaction, adding that assets of GT were made up of GT fixed lines and carriers services, Onetouch Mobile Services, SAT 3-Fibre-optic gateway and exZeed call services.

He said in addition, the government was handing over the fibre-optic network of the Volta River Authority and the National Fibre-Optic Backbone, which was not yet completed and was financed with a Chinese loan.

Mr Ablakwa said by this transaction, Vodafone would become a private monopoly in the fixed line business and the biggest telecom player in Ghana.

Parliament is to be recalled in two weeks to debate the agreement, which has generated heated arguments in the House between the government side and minority parties.

The Ghana Trades Union (GTUC) has also called on government to withdraw the proposed sale/purchase agreement before Parliament. The GTUC in a statement signed in Accra by Acting Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Asamoah called on government to subject the proposed agreement to broad public debate and consultations on available options.

"Ghana TUC wishes to express its concern about the sale of GT shares, not only because of its implications for the potential job losses but, more importantly, because GT is a strategic national asset and, like other state assets, government should not offer GT shares for sale as if GT was created solely for financial gains without any consideration whatsoever for its social and national security implications."

The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) on its part has said the divergent and dissenting views from well-meaning Ghanaians on government decision to sell 70 per cent of Ghana Telecom (GH) called for a careful reflection and consensus building to ensure that any action taken did not affect the supreme interest of Ghana.

A statement issued and signed by the Reverend Dr. Fred Deegbe, General Secretary of CCG, said in as much as the Council recognised and acknowledged the huge problem confronting government in the administration and operation of GT, and its policy on privatise participation as the engine of growth, there were very critical and important questions that needed to be thoughtfully analysed and addressed so that the disposal of such a vital national asset benefited the country both in the short and long terms.

It said CCG thought Ghanaians needed to know factors compelling government to hand over the management of GT to foreigners.

Source:
GNA

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Minister urged to apologize

...for creating false security alarm

Ho, July 31, GNA - Mr Modestus Ahiable, Volta Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has called on the Mr Kofi Dzamesi, Volta Regional Minister, to apologize to the region over his false alarm in June about the insecurity of public officials in the region.

Mr Ahiable's call was in connection with an incident involving an intruder at the Regional Minster's residency on Monday June 2 in which both the intruder Mr Dzikunu Agbale, and Mr Theophilous Tetteh-Nartey, Ho Municipal Police Commander died.

Mr Ahiable said at a press briefing on Wednesday that Mr Dzamesi's claim that the incident at his official residence was the beginning of a bigger plot against officials was a hoax for which he needed to apologize to the region.

He said the successful visit of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to the region soon after Mr Dzamesi's outbursts had exposed the falsehood in his claim. Mr Ahiable said the only way Mr Dzamesi could salvage his image was either to apologize for his indiscretion or to resign.

He said news about a government-funded pacification at the Residency on the quiet suggested that government had accepted responsibility for the death of the intruder and the police officer. "The whole region was desecrated by the deaths at the Residency and must be involved in any pacification rites," Mr Ahiable said.

Mr Ahiable also complained about the continued retention of Mr Bernard Dery, as the Volta Regional Police Commander, despite accusations of unprofessional conduct in many conflict situations in the region. Mr Ahiable said Mr Dery's continued presence in the region during the election period could compromise the security of the region.

Source:
GNA

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GES directs basic schools to desist from collecting fees

Kumasi, July 31, GNA - The management of Ghana Education Service (GES) has stated that reports reaching it indicate that some public basic schools collect fees from pupils in the country. In a circular signed by Mr Samuel Bannerman-Mensah, the Director-General of GES to all Regional Directors of Education, described the practice as "a serious breach of government policy on free basic education at the basic level in public schools for which the capitation grant was introduced".

It therefore directed the Regional Directors of Education to inform the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Directors of Education to take measures to stop the collection of fees in any form in basic schools.

The directives stated that Directors of Education would be held responsible for any fees collected in schools under their jurisdiction and urged them to treat the circular as urgent.

Source:
GNA

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Ban on hunting comes into effect

Accra, July 31, GNA - The annual ban on hunting, otherwise known as the close season, begins on Friday, August 1, 2008, a statement from the Wildlife Division of the Ghana Forestry Commission said on Thursday. The statement signed by Mrs. Vivian Nuhu, Public Affairs Director of the Division, called on hunters to observe the close season, which would last until December 1, 2008.

It noted that during the four-month period, hunters were allowed to hunt only grasscutter, but with licence. It said the essence was to offer respite for wild animals such as duikers, royal antelopes, bush pigs and others which served as bulk of sources of bush meat. "Research has shown that apart from the grasscutter, all the other sources of bush meat breed within the period of August 1 and December 1 every year.

"Besides as the rains have encouraged growth of fresh vegetation and made food supply abundant, the young ones can be successfully recruited into the next generation without interference from hunters." The statement warned that non-observation of the close season was punishable by law.

It therefore appealed to the public to desist from patronising bush meat other than grasscutter during the fourth-month close season and to report persons who breached the season to the Wildlife Division. The statement also called on the police to assist the Commission by arresting and prosecuting recalcitrant hunters and sellers of bush meat other than grasscutter during the period.

Source:
GNA

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• 30.07.2008

Kofi Annan appointed Chancellor of University of Ghana



Accra, July 30, GNA - Mr. Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary General, has been appointed Chancellor of the University of Ghana, the University Council announced on Wednesday.

President John Agyekum Kufuor would perform his investiture and swearing-in on August 11 at a Special Congregation in Accra. Mr. Annan succeeds the late Nana Wereko Ampem II, former Omanehene of Amanokrom and Gyasehene of Akuapim Traditional Area in the highest office of the University, formerly occupied by the Presidency until the coming into force of the 1992 constitution.

The position had been vacant since the death of Nana Ampem II in 2005. Mr Anthony Oteng-Gyasi, Chairman of the Council, told newsmen at a press briefing in Accra that the Council was proud to have such a distinguished personality to work with.

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Ghana's decentralization programme is failing


Ho, July 30, GNA - Ghana's decentralization policy has so far been ineffective in addressing the country's poverty dilemma because it lacks "the right-based approach" to development programming.

Mr Lord-Lucas Vodzi, a Development Consultant, said this at a consultative meeting on "right based approach to community development in Ghana" in Ho on Tuesday.

The meeting, which brought together some chiefs, assembly members, non-governmental organizations, community development groups and rights advocates examined factors militating against the effectiveness of the decentralization programme.

Mr Vodzi, the Executive Director of Youth Research Network of Ghana (YORNG), said right-based approach to development programming focuses on participation and empowerment of the poor and their right to hold people in authority.

He said this essential ingredient has so far been lacking in the practical implementation of the decentralization policy. Mr Vodzi said the weaknesses of the decentralization programme are obvious from the weak, non-functional and non-existent zonal and area councils.

"This has enabled a few officials to get richer at the expense of the poor majority for whom the programme was designed.'' Some of the concerns raised by the participants included the overbearing influence of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief executives, Co-ordinating directors and budget officers in final decision making.

It was observed that in most cases the Presiding Members seemed to have their say but the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief executives have their way.

Whereas some suggested that the Chief Executives be elected by the people to make them accountable to them, some were of the view that it would create political problems especially when the Chief Executives come from opposition parties.

It was suggested that the numerical strength of the assemblies should be reduced and attractive packages instituted to motivate and attract quality people into the assemblies.

Concern was also expressed about the deduction of between 60 to 80 percent of District Assemblies Common Fund at source thereby depriving the assemblies the financial resources for development.

The meeting also observed that contrary to enriching the assemblies with experts, the appointment of 30 percent of membership had tended to be clouded by political considerations rather than essential expertise.

The meeting called for total transformation of the structures of the local government system to give the grassroots structures the financial, information, logistics and expertise to be able to assert their influence on the development pattern at the community level.

Source:
GNA

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GT Faces Collapse, If..



... Vodafone deal backfires -Gov't warns critics

The Minister of Communication, Mr. Aggrey Ntim, has warned that Ghana Telecom (GT) faces imminent collapse if immediate action is not taken to salvage the numerous problems facing the company at present.

He said, as at December last year, total assets of GT was GH¢531 million as against its total liabilities of GH¢558 million, giving a net worth value of GH¢27 million. He noted that as at May this year, total assets of the company stood at GH¢552 million against total liabilities of GH¢586 million, resulting in a net worth figure of GH¢34 million.

According to the Minister, the working capital of the company follows a similar trend, and last year it recorded a negative working capital of GH¢188 million and as at May, this year, the figure rose to GH¢199 million.

The situation, he noted, was a great worry to Government, saying “given the current competitive market forces at play in the country, and the negative balance sheet status of GT, it is unlikely to see GT remain competitive over any appreciable length of time, before the factors that give premium consideration to its value is eroded.” The Minister was speaking at a news conference in Accra yesterday, to make known to the public the rationale behind the government’s decision to sell 70% shares in GT to Vodafone International Holdings BV.

He stated that GT was currently constrained to the extent that it was performing against revenue expectation with no profit declared. Its network rollout was also behind target.

He lamented that GT built only 20% of its projected 400 sites because of lack of investment funds, while as at December last year, MTN had 1,660, TIGO 702 and One Toch 397 base stations. In the same year, GT’s capital expenditure was US$31 million instead of the required US$67 million to sustain business strategy, while MTN spent US$164 million.

He mentioned that the cumulative capital expenditure for the next eight to twelve months is US$271 million, and cumulative for five years is US$500 million, which is the value of CAPEX that Vodafone is committed to provide under the Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA).

“GT Mobile Network capacity is 1.8 million subscribers with a current subscriber base of 11.4 million. This shortfall is again due to lack of adequate investment and GT fixed line capacity is 477,000 with a current subscriber base of 350,000.”

He pointed out that in the absence of expanded capacity, GT’s asset base will continue to depreciate while its competitors in the industry take over GT’s market share.

Mr. Ntim said it was in view of the above that “Government has taken the bold step to privatise GT”, and also because “it is in line with its policy of privatisation and liberalisation designed to make the private sector the engine of growth.” This, he noted would create opportunity for government to partner the private sector to re-capitalise the company to the tune of US$500 million, to bring about innovation in its operations, saying “Government would thereby be freed to apply revenue accruing to the state to meet cost of other social responsibilities.”

He stressed that the major policy objective of Government seeks to support the policy of Telecommunications Market Liberalisation to improve upon the deployment of Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure, to facilitate the socio-economic growth of the country.

According to him, “we are particularly challenged to pursue visionary Telecom Liberalisation Policy to aid the development of an open and competitive telecom market, so that universal access to telecommunications can be a reality in Ghana.”

He explained that the privatisation of GT started in 1997 when Telecom Malaysia (TMB) paid US$38 million to acquire 30% share in GT, but failed to pay any dividend for a period of five years that they served as strategic investment.

He said, in May last year, an Inter-Ministerial Committee appointed Ecobank Development Corporation as Transactions Advisor (TA) to undertake the GT privatisation exercise. In furtherance of the process, the TA in July the same year, advertised locally and internationally, to invite strategic investors to submit their expression of interest to which seventeen companies, including Portugal Telecom, France Telecom, Vodafone, Vodacom and Telecom S.A responded.

The above companies were short listed and submitted final offers of US$84 million, US$520 million and US$346 million by Portugal Telecom, France Telecom and Vodacom respectively for 66.67% bid offer and in the same order offered US$547 million, US$213.8 million and US$699.3 million respectively, for capital expenditure to be invested in GT (CAPEX).

These offers, government considered unsatisfactory and so the TA in December last year ended the period of exclusivity for the three companies, the Minister said.

Subsequently, Telecom South Africa made an offer of US$658 million for 66.67% of equity stake in GT, based on their assumption that the enterprise value of GT was US$1,216 million and a net debt of US$230 million, which was considered lower than government’s expectation, he revealed.

Mr. Ntim continued that in February 2008, Vodafone also showed interest and made initial proposals based on Headline Enterprise Value for GT at US$1.5 billion, which is US$667 million for 66.67% of equity stake in GT, US$700 million and US$800 million for 70% and 80% of equity stake respectively in GT.

However in May 2008, following negotiations on Vodafone’s bid proposals submitted in February, government received an updated offer from the former to acquire 70% interest in GT, for a total consideration of US$900 million on a debt-free, cash-free basis, he stated.

According to him, “this offer corresponds to an Enterprise Value of US$1,128 million for 100% of GT”, and argued that considering the high indebtedness of GT and the deteriorating circumstances of the state company, “the declining valuation figures necessitated the aggregation of other state communications infrastructure that also required investment to build. This is why consideration was given to the transfer and management of the National Communications Backbone in this offer.”

Further, he disclosed that the final draft SPA has given consideration that includes measures required to commit Vodafone to complete the second phase of the fibre optic backbone, while all the major competitors to GT were building their fibber optic network in the country.

“The fibre optic backbone would be maintained as an open access, non discriminatory network and the subsidiary management company to be considered in the new GT, would include Government partnership to enable its open access character to be monitored at all times”, he added. He debunked suggestions that Vodafone is a ‘mobile only’ network, saying, “they have been investing in fixed line and broadband services for sometime now and they are rated 5th in Europe”, among others.

On the interest of labour, he indicated that the Govenmmrnt of Ghana (GoG) and Vodafone were committed to protecting the job security and welfare of all employees, stressing, “the commitment of GoG is demonstrated in the SPA to ensure that the new GT will be free from all debts.”

By this, GoG will ringfence all debts so the investment of US$500 million to be made into GT would be applied solely to promote expansion of GT in addition to a proposal in the SPA for GT to be listed on the Stock Exchange from 2010. He maintained that “from the points I have enumerated on GT’s financial situation, if no action is taken now, we stand to face the unfortunate situation of making these workers redundant. This is the reason why government is taking steps to protect the interest of the workers.”

Stressing that the transaction process has been open and transparent, he said “the transaction has been submitted for the consideration of Parliament in accordance with Article 181of the 1992 constitution of Ghana. This has given the opportunity for the people of Ghana, acting through their elected representatives too make valuable inputs into the SPA.” The Minority spokesman on Communication, Haruna Idrissu has meanwhile told Joy FM that government failed to inform others bidders of the company that it was adding the fibre optic section to the sale. He noted that if the government had disclosed this essential information, those who put in low bids would have increased it. According to the Tamale South Legislator, the non-disclosure of this vital information breached the procurement law.

He further argued that based on the information put in the public domain by the Minister for Communication, government would only get $400m from the sale of the GT and not $900m as being claimed. The National Democratic Congress running mate, John Mahama, who spoke on the same radio station earlier, noted that if the government had sold Onetouch and the Fibre optic separately, it would have made more money than the $900 million sale price.

Source:
chronicle

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Sekondi Assembly to put up new lorry station

Takoradi, July 29, GNA- The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) in collaboration with Tri-Hic Company Limited, a construction firm, is to construct a new lorry station in Takoradi. The new "trotro" station, which would be located behind the old Glamour building, would cost over GHC 657,000.00 and is scheduled for completion within 18 months.

The station would comprise Takoradi-Kojokrom, Takoradi-Mpohor, Takoradi-New Takoradi, Takoradi- Kwesimintsim and Takoradi-Daboase branches of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU). Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) Mr John Analatei Laste, Public Relations officer of STMA said the facility would include 24 stores, offices as well as a canteen. Mr Joseph Amoah, a director at Tri-Hic and the First Trustee of the Mpohor/Banso branch of the GPRTU lauded the project as very important since it would boost the activities of the Union.

Source:
GNA

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Trader fined for biting off ear of colleague


Accra, July 30, GNA - A petty trader who bit off his colleague's left ear during a fight was on Wednesday sentenced to a fine of GH¢120 when he was put before an Accra Circuit Court. Kwaku Amoah, who pleaded guilty to causing harm, will go to jail for four months in default.

The case as presented by Chief Inspector Mary Adika is that the complainant, Yaw Kennedy, a petty trader, Amoah and a number of people sleep on beds in front of shops at the Neoplan Station, near Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Accra.

On July 24, the complainant suspected Amoah of stealing his money and therefore declined to allow him to sleep at the place. This, prosecution said, did not go down well with Amoah. A quarrel ensued and the two fought and in the process, Amoah bit off the lower left ear of Kennedy. Kennedy reported the matter to the Police at Neoplan Station and Amoah was arrested. The prosecution said Amoah in his caution statement admitted the offence.

Source:
GNA

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• 29.07.2008

School Children Served With Contaminated Red Rice

Tuesday, 29 July 2008

After barely two years of the introduction of the School Feeding Program in some government schools, the standard in quality and quantity of food given to the children have dropped. According to the programme, every child in school is supposed to be served with balanced food once a day.


The aim is to create an opportunity for less privileged children to be enrolled in school in attainment of the millennium Development Goods However, Peace FM News investigation has revealed that, the children are eating contaminated food. In Apenkwa cluster of schools at Achimota in Accra, the children were being served with red coloured rice which was strange to many of them. As a result, some of the children did not eat the food, but the unfortunate ones amongst them, who could not afford to buy any food, had no option than to eat it.



Speaking to some of the teachers who pleaded anonymity, they said sometimes the children do not eat the food because they complain it is tasteless. And even if they eat it, the food is so small that it is not able to sustain them in the course of their five-hour stay in school. Reacting to the Peace FM report, Rexford Frimpong, the Greater Accra Regional Coordinator for school feeding programme and some officials of the project have visited the Apenkwa Cluster of schools to ascertain the fact concerning the Peace News broadcast of the quality and quantity of food given to the children.


Giving the explanation to as to why the children were being served with red rice, the headmistress who refused to give her name to Peace News, admitted that even though the rice was coloured, there is nothing wrong with that. She added that eating coloured food is a normal thing and that since none of the children has reported ill, there was no need to raise any alarm. Meanwhile, Mr. Earnes Sito-Domie, Communication Officer for the programme who was among the team says they have gathered their reports and will act accordingly.

By: Maame Efua Koomson (Peace newsroom)

Source: Peace FM

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GT sale is to correct financial throes - Minister

Accra, July 29, GNA - Dr Benjamin Aggrey Ntim, Minister for Communications on Tuesday said the proposed sale of 70 per cent Government shares in the Ghana Telecommunications Company (GT) will make the company viable.

He told press a conference in Accra that for the last 10 years, there had not been any profit from the Company.

Dr Ntim said by May 2008, total assets of GT were GHc552 million against total liabilities of GHc586 million resulting in a negative self worth figure of GHc34 million.

Furthermore, the negative working capital of GHc188 million recorded in May 2007 had risen to 199 million in May 2008.

"This situation is rapidly leading to GT's insolvency and a total collapse if no immediate action is taken," he said.

He said the present deal to offload 70 per cent shares in for $900 million in the company to the UK based Vodafone International Holdings BV, is to inject private sector capital into GT, preserve it and ensure that it grows to restore its leadership role in the competitive marketplace.

"Given the current competitive market forces at play in the country, the negative balance sheet status of GT, it is unlikely to see GT remain competitive over any appreciable length of time before the factors that give premium to its consideration to its value may be eroded", Dr Ntim said.

He said GT would be listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange in 2010, and that its present financial insolvency did not qualify it to be listed on the Exchange.

The Ghana Trades Union of TUC, the Christian Council and the Minority in Parliament have criticised the proposed sale with some of them scepticism about its expediency.

A debate in Parliament, to ratify the proposed deal on July 18 was inconclusive before the House rose for recess.

However, the House is expected to be called back on 12 August 2008, to consider the sale and purchase agreement.

Recalling some of the causes that led to GT's financial challenges, Dr Ntim said despite the payment of 38 million dollars by Telekom Malaysia to acquire a 30 per cent share in GT in 1997, it failed to pay any dividends for the entire five-year period it served as "strategic investors".

He said Telecom Malaysia also failed to meet set targets under the GT Business Plan and therefore when the contract expired in 2002, Government of Ghana did not find it expedient to renew the contract.

Also, after the expiration of a three-year management deal with Telenor Norway which partnered GT Management after the Malaysians, the contract was not renewed because of a dispute on share value between the Government of Ghana and Telekom Malaysia.

Dr Ntim debunked allegations that Government was not transparent with the transactions leading to the Vodafone agreement.

He said the bid was advertised in July 2007 both locally and internationally to invite strategic investors to submit their expression of interest in the GT, for which 17 companies, including Vodafone responded.

"It must be noted that Vodafone was short-listed because the evaluation of the Company's profile revealed that Vodafone owned 50 per cent of Vodafone South Africa shares. This was considered advantageous as Vodafone was in a better position to bring to GT the global presence of Vodafone, in addition to Vodafone's strength as an African telecom market player," Dr Ntim said.

Reacting to criticism against the inclusion of a national fibre-optic backbone in the sale, Dr Aggrey-Ntim said the Ministry of Communications had met all the telecom operators in Ghana and offered them the opportunity to submit proposals for the management of the infrastructure to the benefit of all industry players on an open access model.

Dr Ntim noted that that the insolvency problems of the GT emanated from its underperformance against revenue expectation, and its inability to face adequately its competitors in terms of mobile telephony service because of inadequate investment.

He also announced that Government had guaranteed an amount of $40 million to cater for worker separation arrangements. He pointed out that from the financial position, it was necessary to take action to save the about 4,200 workers of GT from redundancy, and the proposed sale was in the interest of workers.

Source:
GNA

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NDC in shock, big shot resigns

The National Democratic Congress says it is yet to come to terms with the shocking resignation of the party’s 2nd National Vice Chairman Alhaji Said Sinare from the party.

Alhaji Sinare did not give any reasons for his resignation saying “I have resigned and that is all. I’m not gonna talk about it”.

He however said those who wish to know why he resigned should ask another guru in the NDC, Mr. Ato Ahwoi.

But Mr. Ato Ahwoi told Joy News he has no idea what Alhaji Sinare was talking about.

Alhaji Sinare said he is not going to join any other political party because he is not a stomach politician.

“I am not going to join anybody’s campaign trail. I’m not stomach politician”, he told Joy News.

He told the Joy FM’s Super Morning Show host, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah that he was hurt but will not go further.

He said he ought to have resigned from the party long ago because he won primaries in 1999 and was not given the nod.

According to him, the NDC will definitely win the December elections so to take such a decision only buttresses the extent to which he is hurt.

Alhaji Sinare is one of the party’s pillars especially in the Zongo communities.

His resignation is therefore seen as a major blow to the party.

The First Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah said everything possible must be done to bring Alhaji Sinare back to the party.

He said “Alhaji is a big brother and so if he is hurt the proper thing to do is give him a hearing”.

He said he did not have a clue as to what the reason for his resignation could be.

The resignation he said can have a psychological impact on the party and its chances.

Responding to suggestions that the dissociation of the party from comments made by the former first lady created some disunity within the NDC, Afriyie Ankrah said “there is absolutely nothing wrong with disagreeing with someone”.

He said although he joined the NDC because of his admiration for former president Rawlings, there were times when he disagreed with him (Rawlings).

Source:
jfm

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Facts Sheet: Vodafone has experience in fixed line operations

Accra, July 30, GNA - Contrary to claims by critics of the sale of 70 per cent shares of Ghana Telecom (GT) to Vodafone International BV, that the buyer has no experience in fixed-line voice operations, documents available to the Ghana News Agency prove otherwise. A facts sheet obtained from the Vodafone Group in the United Kingdom states categorically that "Vodafone wholly-owns fixed-line (voice and broadband) services in Germany, Italy, Spain, Egypt and New Zealand".

It said Vodafone owned and managed fixed-line voice and data networks in Germany under the brand Arcor, in Italy and Spain under the brand name Tele2, in Egypt under the Vodafone brand and in New Zealand, iHug.

But for Egypt where Vodafone's share in the fixed line voice service is 54.1 per cent, it owns 100 per cent in all the other countries where it has fixed line voice services. Since news of the sale of 70 per cent stake in GT to Vodafone at US$900 million went public, it has raised many questions, with one of the claims being that Vodafone operates only mobile telephony services and has no experience in fixed-line voice operations. Dr Nii Moi Thompson, an economist and leading member of the Convention People's Party who has been at the forefront of the criticism of the Vodafone deal, has described Vodafone's claims of experience in fixed line operations as completely false.

He said if government did due diligence on the those claims it would find that in New Zealand, for example, Vodafone was just a client to an operator of the fixed line voice service and not Vodafone itself.

One other critic, Dr. Peter Quartey, an economist and Deputy Director of University of Ghana Centre for Migrations Studies, told the According the fact sheet, however, in addition to its fixed line services, Vodafone also has over 10 million fixed-broadband customers across 13 countries, served through both Vodafone-owned fibre networks and through wholesale agreements with other providers.

The facts sheet said Vodafone consumer fixed-broadband offered in markets through wholesale agreements included Vodafone UK, Greece, Portugal, Netherlands, Ireland, Czech Republic, Romania and Vodafone Malta.

"Vodafone has also managed the construction and roll-out of its own fibre networks in Germany - 50,000km of fibre cabling, with a further 4,000km planned in the next two to three years, Turkey: 2,500km of fibre cabling laid since September 2007.

"In India the company has 48,000km of fibre cabling, with 26,000km laid since Vodafone's acquisition of Hutchison Essar in May 2007. A further 35,000km is planned in the next two years," the facts sheet said.

Touching on the GT deal, the facts sheet stated that beyond the payment of US$900 millions to the government of Ghana, Vodafone would also invest an additional US$500 million into renewing GT's operations over the next five years.

It noted that Vodafone acknowledged the strong competition that GT faced from four foreign-owned telecom operators active in the Ghanaian market (MTN, TIGO, Kasapa, ZAIN and GLO), saying that Vodafone intended to develop GT as a world class company addressing its customers' total communications needs, including mobile, fixed, broadband and fibre. The fact sheet said in recognition of the challenges facing GT, the US$500 million invested would be used to bring a suite of Vodafone products and services to GT and additional required investment would be made so as to regain market share.

"We will leverage Vodafone's global scale and buying power to bring latest technology to Ghana, complete and integrate the national fibre optic network - bringing high-speed broadband and fixed-line services to the people of Ghana and supporting governmental effort to develop ICT in schools," it said.

It said coverage and quality of the mobile network would also be expanded across the country, including widening the EDGE network across major urban areas in the short term and bringing 3G to Ghana within 2009.

Investment would be made in staff training, equipment and resources to benefit employees and customers.

Vodafone assured the Ghanaian public that contrary to the assertion that its services in the UK were the most expensive and so it would be the same in Ghana, it intended to offer very competitive prices even for calls between Ghanaians abroad and at home.

"Vodafone will make Ghana Telecom part of an international network so its customers can enjoy a new range of products and services, including the mobile money transfer service (M-PESA), which enables people without bank accounts to access financial services," it said. It said customers would also benefit from ultra-low cost, high quality mobile devices which will lower the cost of access to telecom services and broaden enfranchisement, bring revenue from mobile phone roaming voice and data traffic to GT and access preferential pricing for using GT's mobile voice and data services, including 3G broadband, while abroad.

Vodafone would also invest in staff in the areas of customer service and IT skills training in Ghana, knowledge of new technologies and access to training courses and placements with other Vodafone companies, upgrade office equipment and working conditions in GT's offices and also nurture and promote the Ghanaian management within GT, the fact sheet said.

It said international career opportunities would also be offered to local talent and everybody would be given access to the Vodafone family and expertise.

"Vodafone will invest in the wider community in Ghana through launching the 'Vodafone Ghana Foundation' - a not-for-profit organisation which will invest in community health and education projects across Ghana and enable GT, through increased investment and resources, to take a leading role in the development of telecom services across Ghana, including in rural areas," it said.

Source:
GNA

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• 28.07.2008

Don't sell GT, fire management - GNP


Accra, July 28, GNA - Ghana National Party (GNP), one of the newly certified political parties contesting the December polls, on Monday called on the government not to sell Ghana Telecom (GT) to Vodafone. It said rather, government should fire the current GT management and de-politicize GT's operations to make profit.

"Selling GT will be an insult to the intelligence of the people of Ghana - fire the unproductive management and de-politicize its operations and GT will make profit," a statement issued in Accra and signed by the Mr Samuel Ofori-Ampofo, Flagbearer of GNP said. It said the GNP had learnt with shock and distaste, the attempt by government to trade-off its 70% shares in the state-owned GT to the British phone company Vodafone.

The statement said GNP had closely monitored events related to the GT-Vodafone deal for the past weeks and had concluded that, the process truly lacked transparency and above all it was not in the best interest of the entire country.

"We are, therefore, unambiguously opposed to the deal, and suggest that if the present management team is not performing, there are a pool of Ghanaian telecommunication experts outside the country prepared to come back home to help salvage the company and make it profitable,"

the statement said.

The statement said GNP believed a vital national assert like GT, should be in the hands and control of Ghanaians for national security reasons and above all, its potential profitability. It noted that the telecommunication business was clearly the most booming industry in Ghana today, adding that if the fibre optic infrastructure was properly harnessed, the potential for GT to be the leader in the industry could not be overemphasized.

The statement said much as the party encouraged and welcomed foreign investments in the country,

"we think that such deals must come clean, clear and should be in the total interest and blessings of the Ghanaian Tax payer."

"We are, therefore, adding our voice to the millions of Ghanaians who have already expressed dissatisfaction with the deal and thereby call on the NPP Government to heed to the popular voices of the people of Ghana,"

it said.

It assured Ghanaians that should President Kufuor and his government ignore the popular demands of the people and effect the sale of GT to Vodafone, a GNP government would overturn the deal. "British Vodafone should, therefore, listen as well and back-out as early as possible," it said.

The party congratulated the minority and those in the majority group in Parliament who were opposed to the deal, individuals and organizations whose voices and loud cries had forced Parliament to suspend the consideration of the report of the parliamentary joint committee on finance and communications.

It also assured the staff of GT of its maximum trust and support, adding that when GNP comes to power, it would de-politicize the operations of GT, resourced and empowered the workforce to function effectively. The statement called on the electorate to vote GNP into power in the upcoming December 2008 general elections for a better and safer Ghana.

Source:
GNA

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Bolgatanga Polytechnic Holds Maiden Congregation

Sumbrungu (U/E), July 28, GNA - A total number of 199 graduates who completed their Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes during the 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 academic years at the Bolgatanga Polytechnic were awarded certificates at the polytechnic's maiden congregation held at Sumbrungu on Saturday. The polytechnic, one of the youngest, admitted its first batch of students in September 2003.

Chairman of the Interim Governing Council of the Polytechnic, Professor Anabila Alemna, said the polytechnic initially faced challenges including recruitment of staff, lack of accommodation and lecture halls and it affected its ability to be accredited to offer certain programmes but with time things. He commended the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETfund), the National Council for tertiary Education(NCTE), the National Board for Professional and Technical Examination (NABPTEXT) and the National Accreditation Board (NAB) for their contribution to the development of the polytechnic.

Prof Alemna appealed to the government to remain committed to the implementation of the recently approved enhanced allowances of polytechnic teachers and to improve upon their conditions of service to attract and retain staff. He mentioned inadequate water supply to the polytechnic as one of the major challenges facing it and appealed to the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports to provide the school with a water tanker whilst efforts are made to find a permanent solution to the problem. He appealed to the GETfund to consider providing the polytechnic with an auditorium.

Professor Paul B Tanzubil, the Rector of the Polytechnic, said many of the lecturers leave for other tertiary institutions where conditions of service are better and appealed to the government to adopt a wage policy system where people with the same qualifications doing similar jobs receive the same remuneration. "Until this is done, I am afraid the Polytechnics would continue to train staff for poaching by other tertiary institutions", he said. Mr. Alhassan Samari, Upper East Regional Minster, said with the discovery of oil, Ghana would need about 7,000 technicians to work in the oil industry and urged polytechnics to fashion out programmes that would turn people to man the oil industry to prevent foreign technicians from invading the oil industry.

Source:
GNA

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Orphanage International inaugurates management committee


Accra, July 28, GNA- Orphanage International Ministry, an umbrella of orphanages in Ghana, at the weekend inaugurated a 46-member Management Select Committee to steer its affairs for two-year tenure. Mrs Doris Bekoe, Chairman of the Committee, said the ministry sought to equip orphans academically, spiritually and morally in order to make them confident and self-supporting.

The organisation will also set up education complex for orphans. Mrs Bekoe said the Ministry would launch the West Africa Games for all orphanages and urged the corporate world to come to their aid and assist in terms of logistics. Mr Frank Adu, Managing Director, CAL Bank, said the bank had already adopted 100 children and added that it was the responsibility of all individuals to help in the development of children in orphanages.

Source:
GNA

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